25-05-2011, 08:36 AM
(25-05-2011, 08:02 AM)Yorkie Wrote: To digress a little, lacquer does not penetrate the surface of wood, which is why we see flaking on old 'woody' radios. If they are stripped back to the bare wood, the timber appears lighter. Some restorers then decide that the simplest way to get a good finish is to apply Danish oil, but that of course does penetrate the veneer, then cures (doesn't just 'dry' but a chemical change takes place), which means that the cabinet can't be brought back to its original finish. That said, many find the less glossy apperance more pleasing to the eye.
David.
Yes, oiling furniture seems more fashionable these days and I made the mistake of applying such a finish to my pine kitchen cabinet doors. Now they look grimy as dirt has been absorbed into the wood. I think I will use varnish when I restore my radiogram cabinets.
